Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
The railway byelaws only require the guard to have reasonable belief that you're in breach to act as the person in charge. Any development beyond that would be for the courts to determine.
Hence as I always tell my passengers - if someone tells you you're OK to do something unusual - particularly if it contradicts something that you already have in writing like an advance ticket - get it in writing.
TPE issue their staff little cards to hand out. Our lot say to use the endorsement box.
Nothing gets on my nerves more than staff telling people things (and I quite believe that they do on occasion) without fulfilling their responsibility to make the appropriate endorsement to their travel documents to validate them.
I agree, and it's really good to hear that at least some TOCs are ensuring it is done in writing to avoid confusion.